This hearty Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole is inspired by the dish in your photo: seasoned ground beef, tender potatoes, juicy tomatoes, and plenty of melted cheese baked together until bubbling, golden, and beautifully browned.
It is an easy family dinner recipe made with simple ingredients and packed with comforting flavors.
Recipe Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 45 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour 5 minutes |
| Servings | 6 servings |
| Category | Main Course / Casserole |
| Cuisine | American Comfort Food |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Ingredients
For the Beef Mixture
| Ingredient | Quantity |
| Ground beef | 1 ½ lb (680 g) |
| Yellow onion, diced | 1 medium |
| Garlic, minced | 3 cloves |
| Red bell pepper, diced | 1 |
| Diced tomatoes, drained | 1 cup |
| Tomato paste | 1 tablespoon |
| Italian seasoning | 1 teaspoon |
| Paprika | 1 teaspoon |
| Garlic powder | ½ teaspoon |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon, or to taste |
| Black pepper | ½ teaspoon |
| Olive oil | 1 tablespoon |
For the Casserole
| Ingredient | Quantity |
| Potatoes, thinly sliced | 2 lb (900 g) |
| Mozzarella cheese, shredded | 1 ½ cups |
| Cheddar cheese, shredded | 1 cup |
| Parmesan cheese, grated | ¼ cup |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | 2 tablespoons |
| Olive oil | For greasing |
How to Make It
Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
Prepare the Potatoes
Wash and thinly slice the potatoes, approximately ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick.
Try to keep the slices similar in thickness so they cook evenly.
Place the sliced potatoes in a bowl and season lightly with salt, pepper, and a small drizzle of olive oil.
Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the olive oil and ground beef.
Cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon until browned and cooked through.
Drain excess grease if necessary.
Add the Vegetables
Add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the skillet.
Cook for approximately 4–5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Season the Beef
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Cook for another 3–4 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the mixture to become slightly thicker.
Remove from the heat.
Assemble the Casserole
Arrange approximately half of the sliced potatoes across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Spread half of the seasoned ground beef mixture over the potatoes.
Sprinkle with approximately ½ cup of mozzarella and ½ cup of cheddar.
Add another layer of potatoes.
Spread the remaining ground beef mixture evenly over the top.
Finish with the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
For the appearance shown in the photo, scatter a few additional pieces of diced red pepper over the cheese.
Bake
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 12–15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
For an especially golden, crispy cheese topping, switch the oven to broil/grill for the final 1–2 minutes.
Watch carefully during broiling so the cheese doesn’t burn.
Finish and Serve
Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes.
Sprinkle generously with fresh chopped parsley.
Serve warm while the cheese is still melted and gooey.
Best Tips
Slice the potatoes thinly: Thin, evenly sliced potatoes cook more quickly and evenly.
Don’t skip covering the casserole: The foil traps steam and helps the potatoes become tender before the cheese gets too dark.
Drain excess beef fat: This prevents the finished casserole from becoming overly greasy.
Use freshly shredded cheese: Freshly shredded mozzarella and cheddar melt beautifully and create a smoother cheese topping.
Let it rest: A short resting period helps the layers set and makes the casserole easier to serve.
Cheese Options
You can customize the cheese depending on what you have available.
Try:
- Mozzarella
- Cheddar
- Monterey Jack
- Colby Jack
- Provolone
- Gouda
- Parmesan
A combination of mozzarella and cheddar gives you both excellent melting and a deliciously sharp flavor.
Recipe Variations
Creamy Ground Beef Casserole
Add ½ cup of sour cream or cream cheese to the cooked beef mixture before assembling the casserole.
Spicy Beef Casserole
Add diced jalapeño, crushed red pepper flakes, or a little hot sauce to the beef mixture.
Mushroom Beef Casserole
Sauté 1 cup of sliced mushrooms with the onions before adding the beef mixture to the casserole.
Vegetable Beef Casserole
Add zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, corn, or extra bell peppers for a vegetable-packed dinner.
Mexican-Style Version
Replace the Italian seasoning with 1 tablespoon taco seasoning and use cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Add a little corn and jalapeño for extra flavor.
What to Serve With It
This casserole is already hearty and filling, but it pairs wonderfully with:
- Fresh green salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted green beans
- Garlic bread
- Coleslaw
- Sautéed vegetables
- Tomato and cucumber salad
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can assemble the casserole several hours ahead of time.
Cover it tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
If baking directly from the refrigerator, you may need to add approximately 10–15 minutes to the covered baking time.
For the best results, make sure the center is completely hot and the potatoes are tender before serving.
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating
Oven
Place the casserole in an oven-safe dish and cover loosely with foil.
Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until heated through.
Remove the foil during the final few minutes if you want the cheese to become crispy again.
Microwave
Place an individual portion on a microwave-safe plate.
Heat for approximately 2–3 minutes, checking halfway through.
Freezing
Allow the casserole to cool completely.
Transfer individual portions to freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2–3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
The potatoes may have a slightly softer texture after freezing, but the casserole will still be delicious.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Cutting the potatoes too thick: Thick potato slices may remain firm while the cheese is already browned.
Using too much liquid: Excess liquid can make the casserole watery.
Skipping the foil: The potatoes need the trapped steam to cook properly.
Over-browning the cheese: If the cheese becomes golden too quickly, cover the casserole again with foil.
Serving immediately: Letting the casserole rest for a few minutes helps the layers hold together.
Nutrition Estimate
Values are approximate and depend on the specific ingredients and portion size.
| Nutrient | Estimated Per Serving |
| Calories | ~560 kcal |
| Protein | ~34 g |
| Carbohydrates | ~38 g |
| Fat | ~31 g |
| Saturated Fat | ~14 g |
| Fiber | ~5 g |
| Sodium | ~850 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey is an easy substitute. Because it is generally leaner, you may want to add an extra teaspoon of olive oil when cooking it.
Do I need to boil the potatoes first?
No. Thinly sliced potatoes can cook directly in the casserole. Covering the dish during the first part of baking helps them become tender.
Can I use frozen potatoes?
Yes, but cooking time and moisture can vary. Fresh thinly sliced potatoes generally give the best texture.
What type of ground beef is best?
An 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef works particularly well because it provides plenty of flavor while still producing a rich but manageable casserole.
Can I add more cheese?
Absolutely. If you love an extra-cheesy casserole, add another ½ cup of shredded mozzarella or cheddar before the final bake.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Ground Beef, Tomato & Potato Casserole is the perfect combination of savory beef, tender potatoes, colorful vegetables, and a bubbling blanket of golden cheese.
It makes an easy weeknight family dinner, works beautifully for meal prep, and is especially satisfying when served straight from the oven with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables.